For Malaysia’s choral enthusiasts, the week of 6-10 November 2024 was one to remember. Held at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac), the Malaysian Choral Eisteddfod (MCE)—the nation’s largest and most prestigious choral festival—gathered talented voices from across the country and beyond. Among the contenders was the IICS Choir, representing INTI International College Subang (IICS) with pride and passion.
The IICS Choir captivated the audience in striking all-black attire during their performance at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) for the recent Malaysian Choral Eisteddfod.
In the fiercely competitive Mixed Youth category, featuring singers under 26, the IICS Choir won an impressive silver, performing “Once Upon a December” and “The Wayfaring Stranger.” Competing against choirs from Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand, this achievement was particularly remarkable given the group’s limited preparation—just two months of practice.
With 24 members, the IICS Choir welcomes anyone who loves singing. The choir operates inclusively, ensuring each voice finds its place. “We organise members into four sections—soprano, alto, tenor, and bass—based on their vocal range,” shared Jynette Lim En Yu, the choir’s president and a student in the Bachelor of Arts in Communication (SNHU) programme. This structure lets every singer contribute to the group’s vibrant sound.
Club president Jynette and choir conductor Jessica Yap proudly display their certificate and silver medal, celebrating the IICS Choir’s impressive achievement at the Malaysian Choral Eisteddfod.
Jynette, an experienced singer since high school, is no stranger to choral competitions. “I’ve been singing in choirs for years,” she shared. Desmon Lim Kim Chuan, another passionate member from the Diploma in Mass Communication programme, has been singing since he was five and has a background in classical music training. Together, they lead a diverse and talented group of INTI students united by their shared love for choral music.
Although Malaysia’s choir community is relatively small, the IICS Choir draws inspiration from established groups like the Young KL Singers (YKLS), one of Malaysia’s most active community choirs. Known for exploring genres from Malaysian folk music to rock and even Björk, YKLS has become a model of musical versatility that IICS Choir members admire and aspire to emulate.
Notably, the IICS Choir operates independently, without major sponsorship or funding. The group’s commitment goes beyond singing: they self-fund registration, transport, and other logistics to participate in MCE. “On competition day, some of us even carpool to klpac,” said Kua Hock Sing, the choir’s incoming president. This self-reliant approach shows dedication as they juggle rehearsals with academics, keeping practices limited to free periods between classes and avoiding late evenings out of respect for members with long commutes.
Their silver win came as a joyful surprise. “We entered not to win but to expose our members to the choral scene, build connections, and create unforgettable memories at INTI,” explained Jynette. Desmon added, “The competition is tough, so we’re thrilled with silver—it’s beyond what we expected.”